XP-Dracon Says The TURTLES Are "O.K"!!

Merrick again...
XP-Dracon sent in this look at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...now branded TMNT so kids won't have to read four whole words.
We'd like to thank XP-Dracon for sending this in; the film opens March 23. This write-up is pretty well done & may answer a few of the questions fans have had since the film's trailer hit.
Which means...

THERE ARE MODERATE SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

PROCEED WITH CARE!!!

TE E N A G E M U T A N T N I N J A T U R T L E S
by XP-Dracon
It was “o.k.”
First and foremost, I was a HUGE Ninja Turtles fan (the show, comics, toys and video games) when I was a kid in the 80s / early 90s. I loved the first movie (and still enjoy it to this day), but felt the second one to be too much on the safe side in terms of violence, and was too cheesy (even to Ninja Turtle standards).
It has been years since I have watched the show, but I still remember all of the characters and themes. When I heard that there was going to be another film, CGI not live-action, I thought that they may have a great opportunity to revive a great franchise and make it more loyal to the source material - dark, violent and humorous, with a great sense of brotherhood. This film got most of those theme RIGHT, but to very little extent.
I went into this film with no excitement or any preconceptions. I didn’t even look to see who was doing the voices of the characters. My first impressions were a little mixed - near the end, I actually felt comfortable with the voices. So, here’s a quick step-by-step (semi-spoiler-free) of what I liked and disliked about the film, and you can take from it what you will.
LIKES
1) MOST of the animation. There were some parts of the film where the CGI felt too “Monster House”-ish, and the animators seemed to be watching too many Michael Bay films to really focus on the action and not allow it to get too hectic to not be able to completely tell what is going on all the time. The “not being able to see things” only distracted me a few times, but there were times, especially in the main Showdown between Raphael and Leonardo, where the animators and the director really spent time to make it work. In that scene, it did. In the end battle sequence, it did not. During the turtle showdown, the animation, even while taking place at night, was awesome. The rain bouncing off of their textured green skin looked very realistic despite the director’s obvious cartoonish approach to the CGI material.
2) The voice acting. I did NOT know who did the voices, and for some reason the only one I could tell who it was right off the bat was Patrick Stewart as ‘villain’ Max Winters. I finally checked IMDB and noticed that all the voices were by ‘name’ actors, or at least people most of us have heard of or seen. Mako, may he rest in peace, was the only voice talent that took some getting used to (as Splinter). After a couple scenes, I grew into the character’s voice, but at first, I was distracted probably because I remember the voice of Splinter from the 1989 live-action film, and I was expecting it to sound more grainy and deep. Knowing now who voiced the characters actually makes me like the voice acting even more.
3) The SHOWDOWN. Having never seen any previews/coming attractions for the film, when the scene between Raphael and Leonardo began, I knew this scene was the scene that the film makers want you to drool over. And it WAS great - starts with a very determined seriousness in the character’s actions, all built-up well over the course of the first act between the two characters. The conclusion of the showdown is also very nicely done, displaying emotion and reactions through expression, not just words.
4) The music score. Klaus Badelt (“Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl”) did the score, and it totally works. It is dark, and drives the action in places where it sags a little in unoriginality and depth. No central theme (which kind of disappointed me), but a rollicking good action score to keep things moving.
5) There were quite a few things I did like about the movie, but they were little things, and unfortunately, they don’t outweigh the negative aspects.
DISLIKES
1) The movie’s central conflict, to me, felt very out of place from what we may remember MOST about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle world. Thirteen abominations (monsters), stone immortals, and an opening that clearly paid homage / ripped off the beginning of “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” with sonic wave taking out massive armies and all. I just didn’t like the film maker’s choice in “opening scene” for the movie.
2) Right off the bat, they tell you about the Turtles’ success over arch-nemesis The Shredder, expecting you to accept the story that is to follow. Unfortunately, with this new CGI film, I really WANTED to see Shredder again, and not some new bad guys for us to have to learn to hate. I wanted something from the past - Bebop, Rocksteady, or even Krang. None of these guys are even mentioned, and given that the core audience of the film is going to be guys who grew up with the original cartoon as kids, in my opinion the film makers really should have strived to bring something nostalgic for the Turtles to fight.
3) Under use / misusage of certain characters. Leonardo and Raphael are the most used and seen of the four Turtles; unfortunately, Donatello and Michelangelo are all but left in the background, or with only a couple standout scenes. The handling of the Turtles screen time and singular importance reminded me of the “Star Trek: Generations” syndrome, where the Trekkies in us were excited to see the “Next Generation”crew on the big screen for the first time but were ultimately disappointed by the lack of particular character’s involvement in the story. Casey Jones also was nothing like I remember. In the cartoon, he was a hard-ass who was always looking to “Break something!” In this movie, he is living with April O’Neill (who is no longer a reporter, which threw me off a little) and is a bit of a clumsy-looking and acting dufus. This is NOT the Casey Jones I like so much as a kid - the character in this film has some humorous moments, but overall just didn’t fit the context of the character.
4) Some of the humor and writing. Some of the humor worked, but most didn’t. This is a bit of a problem I have with non-Pixar animated films. The timing on many of the humorous lines is a bit off, and the writing felt a bit ‘thrown together’ at times, recycling cliched lines that we’ve heard in many movies before. The only real good dialogue existed between Raphael and Leonardo before the showdown, and between Raphael and Splinter after the fact. Overall, though, even the limited humor of the 1989 live-action film was a bit lost. A bit more humor and better timing / pacing wouldn’t have hurt the overall necessary dark tone of the film.
5) The ending. Because many of the bad guys are new, a lot of the story and background had to be rushed in the “Lord of the Rings”-like beginning, and the end just felt easily jumbled together, leaving nothing unexpected or unpredictable. At one point, the leader of the Foot Clan (voiced by Ziyi Zhang) announces that they will help the Turtles to defeat the stone immortals, but their help ends up not being needed and nothing shown for it. Too many loose ends in the story and the build up, and there were quite a few plot holes that were not tied together by the end. Even a promise by the Foot Leader that foes from the past will return did not spark any “oh my gosh” or any level of surprise. They needed to add something, and I expected them to hint at a “Shredder return.”
Overall, the movie was “o.k.” even to my no-expectation preconception. I ran into a friend of mine after the screening, and he LOVED it, saying he gave it an 11 out of 10. So, that tells you that there may/will be a mixed series of reactions from fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

I've always enjoyed the Turtles, but I don't believe they've been approached with the right tone to date. Sounds like we're getting closer...curious to see how this movie shakes out.
My most vivid Turtle memory? One of the kids who went with me to see NINJA TUTLES 3 ("Turtles in Time") stuck a Skittle up her nose while watching the movie. Took hours to get that damn thing out of there, and she was a spaz the whole time.

As a kid I really appreciated the villians and how creative they were. Now it feels like the villians are just a but of differently shaped ninjas. This reviewer is right. Krang, Shredder, and many more are available and would look great in CGI. Oh well. This guy has me curious about the Leonardo Raphael scene.

. . . Everything I've heard or seen since that first teaser has made me less excited for this. You would assume there'd be a sequel w/ Shredder's return but I'm wondering if this will do well enough to warrant it.

What lays in store for this franchise. I feel mixed feelings about it. I loved the turtles as a kid and I love the original movie to this day, but judging from the trailers and this review, it may not be the kinda movie I had in mind. So, who knows?

My dad's friend as a kid once stuck a b.b. up his penis. They had to rush him to the hospital and make him piss it out. I knew a girl who had a hot dog break off in her and she had to go to the doctor to have the rest pulled out. Speaking of ninjas heres an easy way to win a Shinobi:Heart Under Blade dvd. http://tinyurl.com/pv8do

on the Origin of Daredevil? That the toxic waste from the truck that blinded Daredevil kept going and leaked down into the sewers and onto the turtles (ha! nuclear gunk that makes you MORE human!)? Can't find the original comics. Anyone know?

He was the worst part about the original cartoon. He was too easily defeated and not much of a threat. I know it was a kids show, but even as a kid it bothered me how much of a joke the main villian was. Despite the mediocre review, I'm still interested in this movie.

1) This film acknowledges to some extent the first couple of movies. And besides a mention...Shredder isn't in it...his previous movie defeat is acknowledged.
3) Maybe if you read the review instead of just commenting you would know the answer to your question.

The Ninja Turtles always worked best as cartoon characters. I cannot understand people who long for a "dark" and "serious" take on a story about mutant teenage turtles that know ninjitsu. I say bring on the cowabungas!

were a parody of all comic genres and character archetypes that were popular at the time (1984), namely teenagers, mutants, and ninjas. Eastman and Laird simply chose turtles to embody all these elements. The only thing that isn't exactly correct is the "mutant" part, because, yeah, like Daredevil, the turtles were normal until exposed to a scientific mystery ooze that gave them their powers. They aren't really mutants born with powers.

http://tinyurl.com/2obdyl<br><br>And now back to your turtle fest... Let's take the advice of teh Angry Nintendo Nerd to heart...<br>Part1 - http://tinyurl.com/2rcmva<br>Part2- http://tinyurl.com/37e2ex

I don't know. as much as i love the games. I think adapting one for a film would be a real major task.
to me the prefect Metal gear movie would be like one big puzzle. with snake figuring out whats going on one piece at a time. But with Tension like in Das Boot. Like you are always on the edge of your seat because every choice he makes could kill him. Also Micheal Mann should Direct.

Because we grew up and realized the world wasn't as awesome as were taught. You don't grow up to be an astronaut - you grow up to be a fatass, eating cheetos, and posting online about Optimus's flaming nipples. <p> Seriously, I'm fed up with all comic properties having to be moody and atmospheric. Sometimes, it needs to be *fun* first. Sounds like this one missed it.<p>Here's hoping SOMEONE can make a fun old-school "Shazam" movie one of these days - WITH Tawny Talky, the Talking Tiger (in his plaid suit!)

I'm so tired of repeating that. Otherwise, this reviewer gave pretty much the review I was expecting for this film. I still have high hopes, and I'll definetely see it, but I really feel that the "supernatural" direction of this film will turn many traditional TMNT fans off.

Tomorrow is Friday, he's off.
He actually liked Anna, so he'll probably be as sad as he was when her son died. He'll probably hope that this means he won't have to hear about Howard K. Stern anymore. What a tragic end. RIP Anna, I hope you are with Daniel. ~ÐL

Ok, I'm a huge fan of the Turtles, ever since childhood, and yeah, i was worried about this being good, but god damn... You had me at "Leonardo vs. Raphael showdown". Do you have any idea how many times as a little kid I (as raphael) would pick fights with my one of my friends (as leonardo) when he'd decide to take the make believe story in some direction I didn't like? He's say, "But I'm the leader!" and I'd respond, "I DON'T THINK SO, BUDDY!" and then I'd chuck one of my sais while running at him with the other. Usually the first sais would hit him in the face and he's start crying before I got to him. That means it was time for me to go home and my mother would be getting a call. Hero in a half shell. I'm excited for this.

So...evidently this reviewer never actually "read" the original B&W series. I mean, if he did he wouldn't be bemoaning the loss of Krang, Bebop, or Rocksteady.
For the love of all that is great and small, would someone who actually read the Mirage Books see this movie and give me a review I can actually appreciate?

When is this franchise going to die? seriously, i used to dig the turtles to...but comon they have been trying,and trying for years to revive this series. It is useless..there is a better chance of Boll winning an academy award for best director. This is not cool news....i am starting to feel sympathy for Merrick *seriously*<p>How come he always gets stuck with the "underdog" "ninja turtles" "silver surfers,silver nads" kiddy fair childish poop scoops? I am rootin for you Merrick! for once i would like to see something cool news worthy come from you!

The radioactive waste the blinded Daredevil went down a sewer and mutated the turtles and a rat. Daredevil's mentor: Stick The Turtles mentor: Splinter. Daredevils ninja enemies: The Hand Turtles ninja enemies: The Foot

So openly trashy and "who gives a shit." Not a fraud like Pam Anderson. Btw, Anna should have gotten every cent that old geezer left her. She was there for him, he loved having a babe on his arm, and it was his loot do will away. Fuck his shitty family and I hope the taxman eats them up. Anna - you were always my fave "bombshell". And she looked DAMN HOT and SEXY when she was plump - Hollywood chicks take note!

I have to dismiss any complaints that involve the movie not including characters or elements from the '87 cartoon. It's been repeated time and again that the cartoon took huge liberties from the source material, and that Peter Laird has no interest in following up on it. The old movies didn't follow the cartoon, the new movie doesn't, and neither will any future projects. Sorry, but any complaints tied into nostalgia for the old cartoon should disregard completely. This isn't the same beast.

I can disregard it, and I am. The first movie was clearly based on the original comics far more than it was the old cartoon (the only direct cartoon influence was April as a reporter while the rest came very closely from the original source material). That movie was a big hit - and this is when the TMNT cartoon mania was at its peak! I'm sure there will be some 20-somethings that are hoping for Bebop and Rocksteady, but by now a lot more people understand that the old cartoon had little to do with the original source material. And there are also lots of kids out there into the Turtles due to the more recent cartoon who have never heard of Bebop, Rocksteady of Krang. Why should the filmmakers cater to grown-up fans of the long-cancelled old cartoon instead of making something closer to the original comic books and more recent animated series?

Cause this is supposed to be based more along the lines of that, while still keeping the former films in mind. The new saturday morning cartoon was actually excellent until they went with this whole "Fast Forward" nonsense. It was the "darker, more serious, literal" approach to the the turtles and for a saturday morning fox cartoon that says quite a bit.
Shredder WAS defeated, as was "Krang" who was an "utrom" alien brain thing that lived inside shredder in this incarnation. They were one and the same. April was never a reporter, but an antique shop owner (which was paid homage to in the first film) and Casey wasnt a complete steroid freak like he was in the old show.
I reccommend checking it out, at least for a few episodes, maybe get a little more familiarized with the new subject matter before stepping into the film.

Get what? Whats to get? It's a movie about mutant ninja turtles, whats to get? Theres no deep subtext or comment on the human condition, it's fucking turtles kicking the shit out of various bad guys in the name of selling merch. I too used to love the turtles, then I grew up and my tastes have changed. Now I love the Battletoads and Bucky O'Hare.

condemn or abstinence campaign. May her plump knocker rest in peace. BTW, bethca' ten to one that she died from complications due to annorexia, bolemia, prescription drug overdose or the manifestation of the process of natural selection precluding her from generating more offspring seeing as she furnished no substantive contribution to society. Nothing more than penthouse leech.

There are too many talking animal CG movies these days....TMNT would actually stand out more if it stayed with the Henson puppets of the last three movies. There was nothing wrong with that live action style....it still works, and would better explain no Shredder.

I completely forgot about "The Hand" and "The Foot". Ha! I guess the barrel of radioactive or whatever stuff is from the original (non-Miller) origin of Daredevil though, right? Never really read Dardevil, except for a bit as a little kid because I liked the Neal Adams looking version of him. Cool about Toy Story 3.